A group of restaurateurs and bar owners launched a political action committee this morning to target politicians who support Allegheny County's 10 percent drink tax.

Members of the group, Hospitality Political Action Committee of Western Pennsylvania, unveiled their campaign at a North Side bar where they announced their first political target -- Brenda Frazier, a former county councilwoman now seeking nomination to the 21st state House district.

Ms. Frazier, 66, of Stanton Heights, was among 10 council members who voted for the drink tax during last year's budget deliberations. The drink tax, together with a $2-a-day tax on car rentals, was approved as part of the $727.6 million budget to fund the county's $30 million subsidy of the Port Authority.

Describing the drink tax as "unfair and untenable," John Graf, vice-president of the Priory Hospitality Group announced an $8,000 campaign featuring radio and billboard commercials, e-mail blasts, and a Web site dedicated to defeating Ms. Frazier in the April 22 Democratic Primary.

The radio spots against Ms. Frazier will be aired on KDKA and KQV, said Mr. Graf.

Ms. Frazier is running against former Pittsburgh city Councilman Len Bodack Jr. and former Pittsburgh Police Chief Dominic Costa to replace Lisa Bennington. Ms. Bennington ran as a reform candidate two years ago but the Morningside Democrat decided not to seek re-election.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.